Christchurch's Mayor Lianne Dalziel said she was backing her decision to declare a state of emergency before the storm and is calling on the government to implement an option to declare events as "serious incidents" to allow easier emergency aid access.

The state of emergency was issued just before 4 p.m. Monday, but the city only received about half the rain expected and there was not widespread flooding like in some of the more southern locations.

Dalziel said that it was still the right thing to do and that she'd do the same in the future, but hoped that there would be more options available by then.

"I look forward to the Government considering the recommendation to create an option to call a serious incident rather than a state of emergency," she said.

The suggestion was one of several contained in a ministerial review of the emergency management on the island nation that was released by Minister for Civil Defense Kris Faafoi and authored by technical advisory group chair Roger Sowry.

"Declaring a major incident would likely result in activation of an emergency operation center, increased social media profile, liaison and co-ordination with emergency services and use of powers available to councils, Fire and Emergency NZ, the Police, and others, under other Acts," the report stated.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is planning to travel to Tonga, Samoa, Niue, and the Cook Islands at the beginning of March to see how the islands are recovering after being hit by Tropical Cyclone Gita.

The government announced that it was not moving forward with the annual Pacific Mission since it feared that it would be an additional burden to Tonga and Samoa, who were badly hit during the storm.

"This one will be slightly different, we will be taking a smaller delegation than usual and there will be a particular focus on the recovery post-Gita and so that will be reflected in the make up of those we will be taking with us," Ardern said.

Still, more than 5,000 people were cut off across the south due to massive landslides and flooding, leaving hundreds of tourists stranded on Wednesday after the storm tore through the country.

Torrential rains battered the South Island from Gita, which was downgraded on Tuesday from a tropical cyclone to a storm.

The rain caused a number of landslips, which forced arterial roads to close, including a state highway.

New Zealand's weather bureau said that the worst of the storm was likely over.

“Really the heavy rain now is focused from Canterbury down to Otago this morning, then that gradually eases,” MetService meteorologist Karl Loots told the Dominion Post. “The worst impacts for most have past.”

Cyclone Gita hit the Pacific island nations of Fiji and Tonga last week, bringing winds that reached up to 275 kph (171 mph).

Fiji escaped having major damage, but Tonga had widespread flooding and damage to infrastructure across the island.

Earlier in weeks before, the same storm system damaged Samoa and American Samoa.

Radio NZ reported that at least 200 tourists were trapped on the South Island, but were mostly camping in their buses or in local welfare centers.

Schools in Canterbury were shut on Wednesday and more than 14,000 households in the central area of the North Island were without power.

Former Cyclone Gita hits New Zealand, bringing floods and high winds

published:20 Feb 2018

Former Cyclone Gita hits New Zealand, bringing floods and high winds

Former Cyclone Gita hits New Zealand, bringing floods and high winds

published:20 Feb 2018

views:9771

A state of emergency has been declared in seven districts as winds gust at up to 150 kilometres per hour.…
READ MORE : http://www.euronews.com/2018/02/20/former-cyclone-gita-hits-new-zealand-bringing-floods-and-high-winds
What are the top stories today? Click to watch: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSyY1udCyYqBeDOz400FlseNGNqReKkFd
euronews: the most watched news channel in Europe
Subscribe! http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=euronews
euronews is available in 13 languages: https://www.youtube.com/user/euronewsnetwork/channels
In English:
Website: http://www.euronews.com/news
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/euronews
Twitter: http://twitter.com/euronews
Google+: http://google.com/+euronews
VKontakte: http://vk.com/en.euronews...

Former Cyclone Gita hits New Zealand, bringing floods and high winds

published:20 Feb 2018

views:9771

A state of emergency has been declared in seven districts as winds gust at up to 150 kilometres per hour.…
READ MORE : http://www.euronews.com/2018/02/20/former-cyclone-gita-hits-new-zealand-bringing-floods-and-high-winds
What are the top stories today? Click to watch: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSyY1udCyYqBeDOz400FlseNGNqReKkFd
euronews: the most watched news channel in Europe
Subscribe! http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=euronews
euronews is available in 13 languages: https://www.youtube.com/user/euronewsnetwork/channels
In English:
Website: http://www.euronews.com/news
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/euronews
Twitter: http://twitter.com/euronews
Google+: http://google.com/+euronews
VKontakte: http://vk.com/en.euronews...

Cyclone Gita, a severe cyclone north west of New Zealand, has begun it’s southern turn towards the Tasman Sea and will most likely reach New Zealand on Tuesday.
The storm will retain at least Category 1 strength as it comes in with damaging gale force winds near the centre and damaging gusts further afield. Dangerous seas and very heavy rain also accompany the cyclone.
When it reaches New Zealand on Tuesday it will begin to morph into a new storm system - it makes being specific about severe weather in various regions difficult this far in advance, we expect much more detail in our Monday and Tuesday weather video updates.
This video was recorded on Friday Feb 16th and we expect changes in the precise tracking and intensity of the storm across this weekend - don’t forget WeatherWatch.co.nz will have rolling coverage about the cyclone over the weekend and across next week, so for additional updates beyond this video please go to our website or download our free weather app and follow the news tab.
http://www.weatherwatch.co.nz...

Cyclone Gita, a severe cyclone north west of New Zealand, has begun it’s southern turn towards the Tasman Sea and will most likely reach New Zealand on Tuesday.
The storm will retain at least Category 1 strength as it comes in with damaging gale force winds near the centre and damaging gusts further afield. Dangerous seas and very heavy rain also accompany the cyclone.
When it reaches New Zealand on Tuesday it will begin to morph into a new storm system - it makes being specific about severe weather in various regions difficult this far in advance, we expect much more detail in our Monday and Tuesday weather video updates.
This video was recorded on Friday Feb 16th and we expect changes in the precise tracking and intensity of the storm across this weekend - don’t forget WeatherWatch.co.nz will have rolling coverage about the cyclone over the weekend and across next week, so for additional updates beyond this video please go to our website or download our free weather app and follow the news tab.
http://www.weatherwatch.co.nz...

Cyclone Gita arrives in New Zealand tonight (20/02/18)

published:19 Feb 2018

Cyclone Gita arrives in New Zealand tonight (20/02/18)

Cyclone Gita arrives in New Zealand tonight (20/02/18)

published:19 Feb 2018

views:23948

A significant storm is quickly approaching New Zealand today and weather conditions will go downhill around a large portion of the country this afternoon and evening.
With so many moving parts to the storm our video today is a little shorter - because things may change as we head into Tuesday night.
Please keep up to date with rolling coverage at WeatherWatch.co.nz as we provide news updates and latest forecasts and mapping, plus tracking.
The worst of Gita is expected Tuesday afternoon, evening and overnight through Wednesday morning, with the worst of the winds easing back.
This special video was made in the CountryTV studio (SKY channel 081).
http://www.weatherwatch.co.nz...

Cyclone Gita arrives in New Zealand tonight (20/02/18)

published:19 Feb 2018

views:23948

A significant storm is quickly approaching New Zealand today and weather conditions will go downhill around a large portion of the country this afternoon and evening.
With so many moving parts to the storm our video today is a little shorter - because things may change as we head into Tuesday night.
Please keep up to date with rolling coverage at WeatherWatch.co.nz as we provide news updates and latest forecasts and mapping, plus tracking.
The worst of Gita is expected Tuesday afternoon, evening and overnight through Wednesday morning, with the worst of the winds easing back.
This special video was made in the CountryTV studio (SKY channel 081).
http://www.weatherwatch.co.nz...

TRAVELING DURING THE CYCLONE GITA (New Zealand Vlog)

published:21 Mar 2018

TRAVELING DURING THE CYCLONE GITA (New Zealand Vlog)

TRAVELING DURING THE CYCLONE GITA (New Zealand Vlog)

published:21 Mar 2018

views:143

The last travel days in New Zealand have been lovely beside we got to travel during the tropical cyclone Gita. This cyclone created many problems in the Polynesian islands and New Zealand but luckily we managed to turn it into a positive experience by staying in an incredibly cozy cottage in the middle of the countryside.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Don\'t forget to follow me on the social media:
- https://www.instagram.com/lessilu____/
- https://www.facebook.com/lessilu/
- https://www.lessiluu.com/...

TRAVELING DURING THE CYCLONE GITA (New Zealand Vlog)

published:21 Mar 2018

views:143

The last travel days in New Zealand have been lovely beside we got to travel during the tropical cyclone Gita. This cyclone created many problems in the Polynesian islands and New Zealand but luckily we managed to turn it into a positive experience by staying in an incredibly cozy cottage in the middle of the countryside.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Don\'t forget to follow me on the social media:
- https://www.instagram.com/lessilu____/
- https://www.facebook.com/lessilu/
- https://www.lessiluu.com/...

Following 2 cyclones #GITA in the #SouthPacific to make land fall on #NewZealand Feb 19th-10th possibly as a Continuing #Cyclone and could be a #RecordBreaker for the Most Southern Cyclone Ever in the South Pacific. Wind Speeds at land fall continue to stay around 75-80 MPH Its now time to prepare for this system to be a Cyclone at impact!
#Australia Is also dealing with #CycloneKelvin #10sKELVIN as it has already dumped over 12 inches of rain in #BroomeAustralia
#BlueAlert from #CapeLeveque to #DeGrey extending to Broome and #Bidyadanga
Temperatures are around 83 degrees in th water continually fueling #Kelvin as it will now head south saturating the inner West areas of #Australia 70 plus MPH winds expected but even as winds die down the amount of rain being carried through with this storm is extremely significant.
UPDATES WILL CONTINUE. GOOD LUCK TO ALL
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO MY BACKUP CHANNEL! (Content Coming)
https://www.youtube.com/c/in2thinairnews
*IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SUPPORT MY WORK*
https://www.patreon.com/In2ThinAir
CONTACT ME ON:
*Twitter* @In2ThinAir
https://twitter.com/In2ThinAir
*INSTAGRAM* @In2ThinAirNews
https://www.instagram.com/in2thinairnews/
**2 Original Acoustic songs from my videos**
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6c71YKCEEk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiQ-80KbEWI
**WINTER STORM NAMES FOR 2017-2018**
#WinterStormAIDEN
#WinterStormBENJI
#WinterStormCHLOE
#WinterStormDYLAN
#WinterStormETHAN
#WinterStormFRANKIE
#WinterStormGRAYSON
#WinterStormHUNTER
#WinterStormINGA
#WinterStormJAXON
#WinterStormKALANI
#WinterStormLIAM
#WinterStormMA...

Following 2 cyclones #GITA in the #SouthPacific to make land fall on #NewZealand Feb 19th-10th possibly as a Continuing #Cyclone and could be a #RecordBreaker for the Most Southern Cyclone Ever in the South Pacific. Wind Speeds at land fall continue to stay around 75-80 MPH Its now time to prepare for this system to be a Cyclone at impact!
#Australia Is also dealing with #CycloneKelvin #10sKELVIN as it has already dumped over 12 inches of rain in #BroomeAustralia
#BlueAlert from #CapeLeveque to #DeGrey extending to Broome and #Bidyadanga
Temperatures are around 83 degrees in th water continually fueling #Kelvin as it will now head south saturating the inner West areas of #Australia 70 plus MPH winds expected but even as winds die down the amount of rain being carried through with this storm is extremely significant.
UPDATES WILL CONTINUE. GOOD LUCK TO ALL
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO MY BACKUP CHANNEL! (Content Coming)
https://www.youtube.com/c/in2thinairnews
*IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SUPPORT MY WORK*
https://www.patreon.com/In2ThinAir
CONTACT ME ON:
*Twitter* @In2ThinAir
https://twitter.com/In2ThinAir
*INSTAGRAM* @In2ThinAirNews
https://www.instagram.com/in2thinairnews/
**2 Original Acoustic songs from my videos**
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6c71YKCEEk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiQ-80KbEWI
**WINTER STORM NAMES FOR 2017-2018**
#WinterStormAIDEN
#WinterStormBENJI
#WinterStormCHLOE
#WinterStormDYLAN
#WinterStormETHAN
#WinterStormFRANKIE
#WinterStormGRAYSON
#WinterStormHUNTER
#WinterStormINGA
#WinterStormJAXON
#WinterStormKALANI
#WinterStormLIAM
#WinterStormMA...

EX CYCLONE GITA NEW ZEALAND

Cyclone Gita Aftermath - Takaka Hill - Aerial - NZ

published:21 Feb 2018

Cyclone Gita Aftermath - Takaka Hill - Aerial - NZ

Cyclone Gita Aftermath - Takaka Hill - Aerial - NZ

published:21 Feb 2018

views:3486

Aerial Footage of Cyclone Gita\'s aftermath that wrecked havoc upon
Takaka Hill and the nearest settlement to it \" Riwaka \" in New Zealand
All footage is copyright of Leroy Bull.
If you wish to use this content please contact me....

Cyclone Gita Aftermath - Takaka Hill - Aerial - NZ

published:21 Feb 2018

views:3486

Aerial Footage of Cyclone Gita\'s aftermath that wrecked havoc upon
Takaka Hill and the nearest settlement to it \" Riwaka \" in New Zealand
All footage is copyright of Leroy Bull.
If you wish to use this content please contact me....

Terrible footages of Cyclone Gita:Destroy everything

published:12 Feb 2018

Terrible footages of Cyclone Gita:Destroy everything

Terrible footages of Cyclone Gita:Destroy everything

published:12 Feb 2018

views:2178

Tropical Cyclone Gita described as the \'strongest to ever hit Tonga
\'I just can\'t describe the wind and rain here\' - Cyclone Gita\'s 138km/h winds hammer Nuku\'alofa as eye approaches
The people of Tonga are preparing for what\'s being described as the strongest cyclone to ever hit the island kingdom.
It\'s a situation being made more stressful by the uncertainty of what Tropical Cyclone Gita will bring and efforts to prepare being hampered by religious laws closing trading on Sundays.
Gita is expected to hit the tiny country sometime over Monday night or Tuesday morning. About 11am Monday, a state of emergency was declared ahead of the category 5 cyclone\'s arrival.
Tagata Pasifika reporter John Pulu is in Tonga\'s capital, Nuku\'alofa, staying in the Tanoa International Dateline Hotel - right on the waterfront.
\"At the moment ... Tonga is in preparation for what is being described as the strongest cyclone to ever hit [the country],\" Pulu said.
The fact it was likely to hit overnight - combined with the potential for it to knock out power and communications networks - made it even more frightening.
\"We don\'t know how strong the cyclone is going to be. That\'s the pain of all of this.\"
With the powerful storm came \"potentially a loss of human life and huge damage to buildings\", Pulu said.
\"The advice from the minister in charge of the emergency department is that everyone go home and prepare.\"
People were told to seek shelter in Mormon churches and school halls present in most villages as they were the most robust structures
The declaration of a state of emergency by the Tongan Go...

Terrible footages of Cyclone Gita:Destroy everything

published:12 Feb 2018

views:2178

Tropical Cyclone Gita described as the \'strongest to ever hit Tonga
\'I just can\'t describe the wind and rain here\' - Cyclone Gita\'s 138km/h winds hammer Nuku\'alofa as eye approaches
The people of Tonga are preparing for what\'s being described as the strongest cyclone to ever hit the island kingdom.
It\'s a situation being made more stressful by the uncertainty of what Tropical Cyclone Gita will bring and efforts to prepare being hampered by religious laws closing trading on Sundays.
Gita is expected to hit the tiny country sometime over Monday night or Tuesday morning. About 11am Monday, a state of emergency was declared ahead of the category 5 cyclone\'s arrival.
Tagata Pasifika reporter John Pulu is in Tonga\'s capital, Nuku\'alofa, staying in the Tanoa International Dateline Hotel - right on the waterfront.
\"At the moment ... Tonga is in preparation for what is being described as the strongest cyclone to ever hit [the country],\" Pulu said.
The fact it was likely to hit overnight - combined with the potential for it to knock out power and communications networks - made it even more frightening.
\"We don\'t know how strong the cyclone is going to be. That\'s the pain of all of this.\"
With the powerful storm came \"potentially a loss of human life and huge damage to buildings\", Pulu said.
\"The advice from the minister in charge of the emergency department is that everyone go home and prepare.\"
People were told to seek shelter in Mormon churches and school halls present in most villages as they were the most robust structures
The declaration of a state of emergency by the Tongan Go...

A state of emergency has been declared in seven districts as winds gust at up to 150 kilometres per hour.…
READ MORE : http://www.euronews.com/2018/02/20/former-cyclone-gita-hits-new-zealand-bringing-floods-and-high-winds
What are the top stories today? Click to watch: https://www.youtube.com/playl

Cyclone Gita, a severe cyclone north west of New Zealand, has begun it’s southern turn towards the Tasman Sea and will most likely reach New Zealand on Tuesday.
The storm will retain at least Category 1 strength as it comes in with damaging gale force winds near the centre and damaging gusts furthe

A significant storm is quickly approaching New Zealand today and weather conditions will go downhill around a large portion of the country this afternoon and evening.
With so many moving parts to the storm our video today is a little shorter - because things may change as we head into Tuesday night

The last travel days in New Zealand have been lovely beside we got to travel during the tropical cyclone Gita. This cyclone created many problems in the Polynesian islands and New Zealand but luckily we managed to turn it into a positive experience by staying in an incredibly cozy cottage in the mid

Following 2 cyclones #GITA in the #SouthPacific to make land fall on #NewZealand Feb 19th-10th possibly as a Continuing #Cyclone and could be a #RecordBreaker for the Most Southern Cyclone Ever in the South Pacific. Wind Speeds at land fall continue to stay around 75-80 MPH Its now time to prepare f

Aerial Footage of Cyclone Gita\'s aftermath that wrecked havoc upon
Takaka Hill and the nearest settlement to it \" Riwaka \" in New Zealand
All footage is copyright of Leroy Bull.
If you wish to use this content please contact me.

Tropical Cyclone Gita described as the \'strongest to ever hit Tonga
\'I just can\'t describe the wind and rain here\' - Cyclone Gita\'s 138km/h winds hammer Nuku\'alofa as eye approaches
The people of Tonga are preparing for what\'s being described as the strongest cyclone to ever hit the island kingdom.